DENTAL WORK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9630, 10 April 1917, Page 2

DENTAL WORK

To the Editor “NY. Times.” Sir, —May 1 ask for space to write renaming nr Maurice E. Deunisiou's interview, which appeared in your paper of last Thursdayf Regarding Hie shortage o; dentists, it him ueeu my opinion all along that the requirements anu expense lo omer Hie denial senool in Dunedin are out of all proportion to the standard of efficiency, compared to that existing before tue Dental School was opened, therefore causing a monopoly to those, men who got in under the old Act. You can see tile eixtcc this must have on the poorer people of New Zealand, who cannot afford to pay the existing fees, and the far-reaching effect tins will have on the health of tue coming generation. I should think quite seventy-five per cent, of the dentists on the roll of the present day in New Zealand have never passed matriculation, and now they are asking all students to do so, before they can cuter the Dental School. If parents can keep their boys or girls at school until they can pass their matriculation, aud the expenses and. requirements for the medical and, dental course are so nearly alike, I should say that in nearly every case the medical course would be taken for preference. Looking round the offices of different dentists I am sure you will find that not two per cent, of the mechanics or apprentices have matriculated when at school, yet they are export at their work, aud because of the present Dental Act they are debarred from going further into the profession, unless they go back to school again and matriculate first. AVhen men and women have left school some years this is an absolute waste of time. I would like to suggest that any apprentice who.has served five vears with a registered dentist should have the privilege of entering the Dental. School with a reduced, entrance examination, and if he passes his examination at the end of two years ho becomes a qualified dentist. , Regarding the treatment of children s teeth, I should very much like to see it be compulsory for all children attending schools to clean their teeth night, and morning, thereby reducing caries considerably. This could be done at the schools. . It has been tried in America with marked success, aud after having had charge of two of the largest boarding schools in Auckland. I can say from experience and close investigation that Hie general health of the children would be improved above tlio highest expectations of the most sanguine. In conclusion, I should like to ask Mr Denniston whether it is. not a tact that there was a meeting of dentists called bv a member of the New Zealand Dental Association, in Christchurch, to discuss the raising of.fees, and does he think this an ethical and charitable thing to do in war time?—l am. etc.,, A. G. MAITLAND, D.D.S. Christchurch, April 2nd.